83 Years In Burntoak

A Memory of Burnt Oak.

i came to Burnt Oak when I was aged 2 and still live here. Burnt Oak was a wonderful place, with so much going on and so much to do. I went to the Annunciation School and got a scholarship to the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Harlesden. During the war there were Iitalian and German pows in the area. The Germans were allocated to resurfacing the roads. At Christmas the Italians came to the church and sang Carols. . I was in the Youth Club at the Annunciation Church and we had a great time there. Watling Avenue was a lovely shopping centre. with diverse shops - not like now, with 12 greengrocers and cheap clothes shops and nasty little general shops. Watling Park was a great place, with a rose garden and wonderful flower beds. Every Sunday evening a band played and there was also dancing in a large area. There were many various play swings, etc. for the children. Nowadays it is quite dangerous to go through the park, even during the day because of mugging and drunkards. There has also been a murder in the park. We now have brothels in Burnt Oak. The ethos of Burnt Oak has completely changed. We all knew each other in the road, and kept an eye on old people. When someone died in the road, there would be a collection for the family. Now we do not even know our neighbours. We all kept our roads tidy, but now rubbish is thrown everywhere. It is very upsetting to see such a lovely place reduced to a dirty, drab hole, Sadly I have to say, like many of my age group, that I am glad I am this end of my life

Theresa Harvey